Chevron Drum

My Drum design extends to the full allowable dimensions, 450 mm diameter and 360 mm width. A 1:4 model (tested with builders sand) has consistently filled to 58%, whilst a full size drum could take that to >60%. The chevron ‘tread’ and slight taper of the drum, directs loose material to the edges of the drum, where (6) scoops each end (alternately) ingest an amount of the material, filling the scoop cavity. As the drum rotates, the scoop cavity contents are lifted, where the additional weight of the contents open an inner flap, allowing the material to fall into the drum interior from a high position in the drum. Drum contents (lower down) keep other flaps closed/sealed and prevent contents falling out. As the drum fills, it reaches a point where the flaps are prevented from opening (its maximum fill). This point is determined by the rill angle of the material, and/or its tendency to clump/stick together. This point can be extended by vibration of the drum, or a pulsed drive. To empty the contents, the home-base processing facility will require an ‘unloading station’ the device drives into (not just a hole in the ground) containing a mechanism to push at the end of the drums. When the drum end is pressed and released, the drum splits apart at the middle, allowing the contents to quickly spill out (assisted by the taper). When empty, press again to bring the two drum halves back together and lock closed. The mobile device’ prime function is to travel to site, load material and return to home-base. The unloading station should handle its function. Preferable to incorporate a method for unloading into the stationery home-base facility than add complexity/weight to the mobile device. The drum to be constructed of Titanium by 3D printing a combined scoop end and inner drum half (as one), with the other half being a mirror of that. The flaps would be of a flexible elastomer (silicone or similar) with variable thickness (stiffness), located/fitted over the inner end of eac